Kirk Academy soccer coach Chris Wilkinson has been looking for an identity this season for his Raiderettes. It took the division opener against longtime rival Indianola for them to put together a full game.
The Lady Colonels jumped to an early 2-0 lead only to see Kirk rally to tie the game at halftime at 2-2. Kirk scored two goals only to see IA come right back to the game at 4-4. After going through a pair of 10-minute overtimes, the game with two penalty kick shots with Kirk winning a 3-1 advantage to take a 5-4 victory from the Lady Colonels.
“I was extremely proud of how our girls competed,” Wilkinson said. “We had a lot of adversity happen to us and we never let it bother us. Indianola has a quality soccer team. I have so much respect for their players and their coaches. We have had some outstanding games with them over the years. The girls kept pushing themselves and each other.”
Kirk trailed 2-0 when senior Sophie Brister scored a goal with an assist to Lylah Kate Burnett to give the Raiderettes their first goal of the contest. Abby Redwine, who finished with two assists, added a goal of her own with an assist from Sydney Allbritton to make it 2-2 at halftime.
Brister got the hat track with two second-half goals as the Raiderettes built a 4-2 lead. The Lady Colonels scored two straight goals, including one with a second left to send the game into overtime.
The teams battled through a pair of 20-minute overtime periods before deciding the final outcome through penalty kicks.
Allbritton made Kirk’s first kick and IA answered. Emily Lane and Redwine made their kicks and Emma Kirk had three big saves in the contest to lead the Raiderettes.
Wilkinson applauded the play of his defensive backline of Burnett, Maggie Knight and Campbell Leverette
Junior Varsity
Jana Mims, Ava Kirk and Abbie Mattox had a goal each as the Junior Varsity Raiderettes won a 3-1 decision over the Lady Colonels.
Kirk returns to action Thursday with a trip to Clarksdale to face the division foe Lee Academy Fillies. Match time is set for 5 p.m.
